Five NFL Coaches on the Hot Seat in 2010

The 2010 season is looming and it’s time for 32 teams and 32 head coaches to begin all over again.  For some of these coaches, it’s going to be a do-or-die, make-or-break season as they have seen their teams slowly slide, or remain sliding and haven’t pulled them back up yet.  If they don’t do something positive this year they may not be around next season.

The following is a look at five NFL coaches that are going to be on the hot seat heading into the 2010 NFL season.  We will look at why they are in that position, what it will take them to get off of the hot seat, and what their chances of doing so will be.

1.  Lovie Smith, Chicago Bears: Ever since the end of the 2009 season and perhaps even before that, Smith has been on the hot seat in Chicago.  The Bears have failed to make the playoffs each year since going to the Super Bowl in 2006 and they kept getting worse during that period.

If Smith is going to save his job, he needs to have a winning season and at least make the playoffs in 2010.  It appears as if the Bears have gone out and gotten a lot of help for Smith, and they shouldn’t have too much of a problem at least having a winning season.

Smith will be gone if the Bears have another losing season.  With all of the talent, and the new offensive scheme that is being installed, there should be no reason why Smith and the Bears shouldn’t win in 2010.

2.  Tom Cable, Oakland Raiders: The Raiders went out and did some good work this offseason to help put the team together more, but if results aren’t seen this year, it could be curtains for Cable.  Cable, already disliked by several people in and out of the NFL, has failed to do much with the team and therefore may not be around at the end of the 2010 season.

So what does he have to do to keep his job after 2010?  Just win, baby.  They may not have to reach the playoffs in order to save his job, but Cable’s Raiders need to show some significant improvement over the 2009 team’s performance.  If they do that then Cable should last another season.

If they fail to do that or get worse, then Cable will probably be gone.

3.  Wade Phillips, Dallas Cowboys: Sure, Phillips has been endorsed by owner Jerry Jones, but if the Cowboys don’t make it to the playoffs in 2010 Phillips could be heading for the unemployment line.  The Cowboys got to the playoffs last year and even won a game so they should be expected to do more, right?  Phillips and his team need to make it again, at the very least, this season.

Phillips will have to get his team back into the playoffs at the very least in order to keep his job after the 2010 season.  He may even have to win at least one game but if the Cowboys miss, we may not see anymore of Phillips in Dallas.

The Cowboys, at the least, have to get back to the playoffs in 2010 or Phillips may be hitting the long dusty trail out of Dallas after the season is over.

4.  Tom Coughlin, New York Giants: No matter what anyone else says, Coughlin is a coach on the hot seat heading into the 2010 season.  After winning the Super Bowl a few short seasons ago, the Giants have been in decline and had one of their worst defensive efforts in years last season.  Coughlin cleaned house a little and hopes are high that these changes will mean something in 2010.

In order for Coughlin to stay off the hot seat and keep his job after 2010, he has to get the Giants back to respectability and most likely get them in (or close to the playoffs).

If Coughlin fails, there is a chance he could stick with the team but it wouldn’t be for but just one more year if he fails to make the playoffs this season.

5.  Norv Turner, San Diego Chargers: No matter what a lot of people think, Turner is going to be under the gun this year to win and get close to or make the Super Bowl.  He has field some strong teams during the past few seasons but just hasn’t been able to get to the big one.  Now, with a team sporting a lot talent, the time to win for Turner has come.

Turner is in this spot because his teams have not made it to the Super Bowl despite making the playoffs on a consistent basis.  Granted, the Chargers have faced some tough competition in the playoffs but to the ownership and fan base, the time has come.  If Turner does not get at least close to the Super Bowl (the AFC Championship game) then he might have punched his ticket out of San Diego.